Harmonic cold plasma device and associated methods

ABSTRACT

A device for generating atmospheric pressure cold plasma inside a hand-held unit discharges cold plasma with simultaneously different rf wavelengths and their harmonics. The device includes an rf tuning network that is powered by a low-voltage power supply connected to a series of high-voltage coils and capacitors. The rf energy signal is transferred to a primary containment chamber and dispersed through an electrode plate network of various sizes and thicknesses to create multiple frequencies. Helium gas is introduced into the first primary containment chamber, where electron separation is initiated. The energized gas flows into a secondary magnetic compression chamber, where a balanced frequency network grid with capacitance creates the final electron separation, which is inverted magnetically and exits through an orifice with a nozzle. The cold plasma thus generated has been shown to be capable of accelerating a healing process in flesh wounds on animal laboratory specimens.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No.60/913,369, filed Apr. 23, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices and methods for creating coldplasmas, and, more particularly, to such devices that are hand-held andmethods for using same.

2. Description of Related Art

Atmospheric pressure hot plasmas are known to exist in nature. Forexample, lightning is an example of a dc arc (hot) plasma. Many dc arcplasma applications have been achieved in various manufacturingprocesses, for example, for use in forming surface coatings. Atmosphericpressure cold plasma processes are also known in the art. Most of thelow-pressure cold plasma processes are known to utilize positive tonegative electrodes in different configurations, which release freeelectrons in a noble gas medium.

Device that use a positive to negative electrode configuration to form acold plasma from noble gases (helium, argon, etc.) have frequentlyexhibited electrode degradation and overheating difficulties throughcontinuous device operation. The process conditions for enabling a densecold plasma electron population without electrode degradation and/oroverheating are difficult to achieve.

Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide a device for producing acold plasma that overcomes the difficulties inherent in prior knowndevices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device of the present invention provides streaming atmosphericpressure cold plasma inside a hand-held unit without the use of anegative electrode configuration. The device is capable of dischargingcold plasma (65-69° F.) into ambient air with simultaneously differentrf wavelengths and their harmonics.

The device comprises an rf tuning network that is powered by alow-voltage power supply connected to a series of high-voltage coils andcapacitors that are networked to produce a 150-kV dielectric rf signal.The rf energy signal is transferred to the cold plasma device through aprotected cable that allows the electrical energy to be transferredwithout any substantial corona discharge energy loss. The rf energysignal is transferred to a housing having an interior space defined by awall, and dispersed through an electrode comprising a plurality ofplates positioned in substantially parallel, spaced-apart fashion withinthe inner space. The electrode plates are supported by a support rodthat is in signal communication with a source of radio frequency energy.The rod extends through each of the plates and supports a distancetherebetween. A surface area of an upstream plate is greater than asurface area of a downstream plate, and the plates have variousthicknesses to create multiple frequencies.

Helium gas can be introduced into the inner space upstream of theplates, where electron separation is initiated. The energized gas flowsdownstream into a magnetic compression chamber, comprising a firsttoroidal magnet having a first alignment positioned within the innerspace downstream of the plates and a second toroidal magnet having asecond alignment opposite the first alignment positioned within theinner space downstream of the first magnet. The first and the secondmagnets are substantially parallel and coaxial, and each has a centralorifice.

A support is positioned between the first and the second magnet, thesupport having an aperture therethrough. Affixed to the support is aninduction grid in frequency harmony with the electrode. The gridcomprises a central capacitance element placeable in electricalcommunication with a source of power and a plurality of metal rods, eachhaving a capacitance element affixed at opposed ends. The rods areapproximately symmetrically arrayed about the central capacitanceelement, two outermost metal rods placeable in electrical communicationwith the power source.

In this device gas entering the inner space is energized by theelectrode, is channeled through the first magnet orifice, and contactsthe grid to further energize the gas and create a multiple-frequencycold plasma thereby. A balanced frequency network grid with capacitancecreates the final electron separation, which is inverted magneticallyand exits out the housing through an orifice with a nozzle.

The cold plasma thus generated has been shown to be capable offacilitating and accelerating a healing process in flesh wounds onanimal laboratory specimens, and to kill bacteria in vitro.

The features that characterize the invention, both as to organizationand method of operation, together with further objects and advantagesthereof, will be better understood from the following description usedin conjunction with the accompanying drawing. It is to be expresslyunderstood that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration anddescription and is not intended as a definition of the limits of theinvention. These and other objects attained, and advantages offered, bythe present invention will become more fully apparent as the descriptionthat now follows is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hand-held atmospheric pressuremultiple-frequency cold plasma source in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of the hand-held atmospheric pressuremultiple-frequency cold plasma source of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the rf energy induction grid of capacitanceon an acrylic separation plate with balanced quad (plasma) dischargeports.

FIG. 4 is the equivalent electrical diagram that connects the powersupply and tuning source to the cold plasma discharge source.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of a second embodiment of a hand-held coldplasma source.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an induction grid for the device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary circuit diagram for the device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a frequency calculation of the first chamber in the plasmadevice.

FIG. 9 is a frequency calculation of the second chamber in the plasmadevice.

FIG. 10 illustrates electron flow and orientation in the second plasmacompression chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention willnow be presented with reference to FIGS. 1-10.

The present invention is directed in a particular embodiment to ahand-held atmospheric pressure cold plasma device 10 (FIGS. 1-4) thatproduces multiple-frequency cold plasma 11 without the use of internalground electrodes. The cold plasma 11 is induced through the use ofmultiple-frequency energy wavelengths, which are created through anelectrode 12 comprising a plurality, here, seven, different-sized squarebrass plates 13 having a range of thicknesses from 0.001 to 0.007 in.,and arranged in substantially parallel fashion, with a common centralaxis. The electrode 12 is positioned within an interior space 14 of ahousing 15 that can have a “gun”-type shape, although this is notintended as a limitation, with a lower portion comprising a downwardlydepending handle 16 meeting at a top end 17 thereof an upper portioncomprising a housing body 18 that is substantially cylindrical at aproximal end 19 and tapers downward to a discharge nozzle 20 at a distalend 21. In a particular embodiment, the housing 15 has a 2.25-in. outerdiameter and a 1.75-in. inner diameter in a central portion comprisingthe primary 22 and a secondary 33 chamber.

The plates 13 are connected together in a primary chamber 22 within thehousing 15 with a substantially central brass support rod 59 connectedto an rf source to maintain a predetermined distance, for example,approximately 0.125 in., between the plates 13 for multiple frequencygeneration. The multiple frequency electrode 12 is nickel, silver, andgold plated to induce a capacitance of energy before releasing amultiple-frequency output in the primary chamber 22 with helium gas togain maximum separations of electrons. The helium gas is introduced intothe primary chamber 22 via a gas inlet 23 positioned adjacent theproximal end 19 of the housing 15. The gas inlet 23 comprises theterminus of a tube 24 that runs through the handle 16 and terminates ata gas port 25 adjacent a bottom end 26 of the handle 16. Gas flow iscontrolled with a “trigger” 27, which is connected in operative relationto a gas flow valve 28 within the tube 24.

The energized gas is channeled from the primary chamber 22 through asubstantially cylindrical orifice 29 in a first magnet comprising anorth alignment permanent magnet 30, and exits into a space 31. Themagnetic field in a secondary chamber 33 comprises a compressed magneticfield created by a second magnet comprising a south alignment permanentmagnet 34, which creates a south-to-south alignment compression magneticfield. Inside the secondary chamber 33, in a position approximately inthe middle of the compressed magnetic field, is positioned amagnetically inert support plate 35 comprising, for example, polymethylmethacrylate (acrylic), that contains, on a proximal side, amultiple-frequency grid system 36 (FIG. 3) that is energized throughinduction.

In a particular embodiment, the acrylic support plate 35 comprises adisc approximately 0.25 in. thick.

The acrylic support plate 35 has a plurality, here, four ports 39therethrough, evenly spaced about and adjacent the circumference 37. Theacrylic support plate 35 further has affixed thereto a plurality, here,four, grid supports 40, which in this exemplary embodiment arepositioned approximately 90° apart, each terminating in spaced relationat their inner ends 41 from a centerpoint of the support plate 35, andin spaced relation at their outer ends 42 from the disc's circumference37.

The “working” elements of the grid system 36 itself comprise a pluralityof, here, 28, nickel, silver, and gold-plated brass capacitance spheres43 affixed at opposed ends 44 of a plurality of, here, 14, nickel,silver, and gold-plated solid brass rods 45. In this embodiment, therods 45 each have two substantially equal-length arms 81 and a central,inwardly facing 90° bend 46. The rods 45 are arrayed in pairs so thatthe spheres 43 of one rod 45 are closely opposed to the spheres 43 of apartner rod 45. There are in this embodiment seven such pairs. Eachadjacent pair is arrayed so that an opposing set of spheres 43 isadjacent at least one bend 46 of the closest rod 45, so that, in planview, the grid 36 appears as a set of nested squares with alternatelyinterrupted corners, at the spheres' locations. The spheres 43 decreasein size from the outermost to the innermost spheres 43. At the center ofthe grid 36 is positioned a unitary central sphere 47, which is largerthan the spheres 43 to which it is most closely adjacent.

The grid system 36 is powered by an rf power feed 48 that enters thehousing 15 adjacent the housing's proximal end 19 thereof through acoupling 20. The rf power feed 48 terminates at the center sphere 47,and also at the outermost, seventh-level, bends 46.

It is believed that this type of frequency induction grid is superior incapacitance to the commonly used concentric rings of capacitance becauseit contains more than twice as many electrical capacitance spheres tohold and release rf energy signals, and can produce a multiple-frequencywave output. The grid 36 is constructed in frequency harmony with themultiple frequency electrode 12 positioned within the primary chamber22, which work in concert to create a multiple-frequency harmonics. Asthe energized gas comes in contact with the grid 36, more electrons areenergized. This highly energized gas is forced through the quad ports 39in the acrylic plate 35. As the energized gas travels through the quadports 39, the electron orientation is reversed 180° in south-to-southcompression magnetic fields to establish a higher kinetic energy valueof 15 Vdc and forced through the south-to-north magnetic field alignmentto be discharged from the secondary chamber 33. The energized gas isforced out through a graduated 5-in. nozzle 20.

In use, the cold plasma can be applied directly (at a distance of 1-1.5in.) to a living body of capacitance (e.g., laboratory specimens) tocomplete the circuit. The multiple-frequency cold plasma 11 that comesin contact with the tissue ranges between 65 and 69° F.

The device 10 of the present invention, which is believed at the time offiling to represent the best embodiment, can produce an atmosphericpressure cold plasma without the use of internal negative electrodes,allowing the device to operate for extended periods of time withoutoverheating. With the length of the discharge nozzle 20 and thecomposition of the multiple-frequency harmonic field, a cold plasmastream 11 can be realized that can be utilized in the treatment ofanimal flesh wounds to accelerate healing (wound healing time in alaboratory setting has been reduced by two-thirds of normal healingtime) and substantially eliminate bacterial wound infections.

Another feature of the present device 10 is its ability to removephysical pain from animal and human flesh wounds. The ability ofaccelerated healing time in animal flesh wounds, and the substantialelimination of bacterial infection and pain in wounds, demonstrates anovel path that may be pursued in health care for animals and humans. Toachieve a low-temperature dense (cold) plasma electron population, adual-chamber device with a positive multiple-frequency electrodeconfiguration allows for electron population production to create theconductive plasma flow to a body having a capacitance.

In an alternate embodiment 60 of the invention (FIGS. 5-7), a pluralityof, here seven, plates 61 comprise non-insulated nickel-plated discshaving decreasing diameters from the proximal to the distal end of thestack. The plates 61 are positioned within a first chamber 62 within ahousing 63. The generated cold plasma 64 passes into a second chamber 80containing a first, north magnet 65, a harmonic ring system 66, and asecond, south magnet 67 before passing out the orifice 68.

In this embodiment 60, the resonator comprises a concentric ringresonator that includes an acrylic support plate 69 surrounded by a0.25-in. acrylic tube wall 77. Four outlet ports 70 are positionedaround the periphery 71 of the support plate 69, and a ring support 72extends across the support plate 69 generally through the centerthereof. A plurality of, here, six, concentric brass partial rings 73are positioned on the support plate 69, each again having anickel-plated brass sphere 74 affixed to ends 75 thereof that areclosely opposed. The rings 73 are positioned so that each adjacentring's ends 75 are 180° opposed to each other. A central unitary sphere76 is also positioned on the support plate 69. Radio frequency input 48is supplied to the central sphere 76 and to the outermost ring 73.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are frequency calculations of the first 62 and second 80chambers in the plasma device 60. For FIG. 8, frequency #1=12 V at 2μsec=500 kHz; frequency #2=3 to 9 V at 1.5 to 2 μsec=750-500 kHz. Thedielectric static voltage=150 kV. For FIG. 9, frequency #1=15 V at 2μsec=500 kHz; frequency #2=0 to 13 V at 1.5 to 2 μsec=750-500 kHz. Thedielectric static voltage=150 kV. In the second chamber 80, there is anincrease in energy by 3 Vdc at the plasma quad ports 70. There is anenergy gain, as the electron spin rotation is changed 180° at the ports70 in the compressed magnetic field, allowing a kinetic energy increasefor the plasma flow, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 10.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clarity, and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because suchwords are used for description purposes herein and are intended to bebroadly construed. Moreover, the embodiments of the device illustratedand described herein are by way of example, and the scope of theinvention is not limited to the exact details of construction and use.

Having now described the invention, the construction, the operation anduse of preferred embodiments thereof, and the advantageous new anduseful results obtained thereby, the new and useful constructions, andreasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled inthe art, are set forth in the appended claims.

1. A device for producing a multi-frequency cold plasma comprising: ahousing having an interior space; an electrode comprising a plurality ofplates positioned in substantially parallel, spaced-apart fashion withinthe inner space, a surface area of an upstream plate greater than asurface area of a downstream plate; a support rod in signalcommunication with a source of radio frequency energy, the rod extendingthrough each of the electrode plates and supporting a distancetherebetween; means for introducing helium gas into the inner spaceupstream of the plates; a first toroidal magnet having a first alignmentpositioned within the inner space downstream of the plates; a secondtoroidal magnet having a second alignment opposite the first alignmentpositioned within the inner space downstream of the first magnet, thefirst and the second magnets substantially parallel and coaxial and eachhaving a central orifice; and a support plate positioned between thefirst and the second magnet, the support plate having an aperturetherethrough; an induction grid in frequency harmony with the electrodeand affixed to the support plate, the grid comprising: a centralcapacitance element placeable in electrical communication with a sourceof power; and a plurality of metal rods, each having an outercapacitance element affixed at opposed ends, the rods approximatelysymmetrically arrayed about the central capacitance element, anoutermost metal rod placeable in electrical communication with the powersource; wherein gas entering the inner space is energized by theelectrode, is channeled through the first magnet orifice, and contactsthe grid through the support plate aperture to further energize the gasand create a cold plasma thereby, the multiple-frequency cold plasmachanneled out of the housing through the second magnet orifice in fluidcommunication with an orifice adjacent a downstream end of the housing.2. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the electrode plates arecoated with a layers of a plurality of metals having stepped atomicstructure.
 3. The device recited in claim 2, wherein the plurality ofmetals comprise nickel, silver and gold.
 4. The device recited in claim1, wherein the housing has an upper portion having a substantiallycylindrical shape and a lower portion comprising a downwardly dependinghandle and a trigger movably affixed thereto, the helium gas introducingmeans comprising a tube running through the handle and a gas flow valvein controlling relation to gas flow through the tube, the gas flow valvecontrollable via the trigger.
 5. The device recited in claim 1, whereinthe support rod comprises brass.
 6. The device recited in claim 1,wherein the support plate comprises a magnetically inert material. 7.The device recited in claim 6, wherein the support plate comprises apolymethyl methacrylate material.
 8. The device recited in claim 1,wherein the central and the outer capacitance elements comprisemetal-coated brass spheres.
 9. The device recited in claim 8, whereinthe metal coating comprises nickel, silver, and gold.
 10. The devicerecited in claim 8, wherein the outer capacitance spheres have diametersincreasing with increasing radial distance from the central capacitancesphere, and the central capacitance sphere has a diameter greater thanan outer capacitance sphere most closely adjacent thereto.
 11. Thedevice recited in claim 10, wherein each rod comprises has twosubstantially equal-length arms having a substantial right angletherebetween facing the central capacitance sphere, the rods arrayed inlike pairs so that the outer capacitance sphere of a first rod of thepair is closely opposed to the outer capacitance sphere of a second rodof the pair, and wherein the outermost rod comprises a pair of outermostrods.
 12. The device recited in claim 10, wherein each rod comprises aplurality of concentric partial rings having a gap between the opposedends, the outer capacitance spheres of each partial ring closelyopposed.
 13. A method for accelerating wound healing in an animalcomprising: injecting helium gas onto an electrode comprising aplurality of electrode plates positioned in substantially parallel,spaced-apart fashion, a surface area of an upstream electrode plategreater than a surface area of a downstream electrode plate, theelectrode plates supported by a support rod, the rod extending througheach of the electrode plates and supporting a distance therebetween, theelectrode for energizing the helium gas; supplying radio-frequencyenergy to the rod; channeling the energized helium gas through anorifice of a first toroidal magnet having a first alignment; channelingthe energized helium gas emerging from the first magnet orifice onto aninduction grid in frequency harmony with the electrode, the gridcomprising: a central capacitance element; and a plurality of metalrods, each having an outer capacitance element affixed at opposed ends,the rods approximately symmetrically arrayed about the centralcapacitance element; supplying power to the central capacitance elementand to an outermost outer capacitance element to further energize thehelium gas and create a multi-frequency cold plasma thereby; channelingthe cold plasma through an orifice of a second toroidal magnet having asecond alignment opposite the first alignment; and applying the coldplasma emerging from the second magnet to a wound in an animal toaccelerate a healing thereof.
 14. The method recited in claim 13,wherein the wound contains an infectious element, and wherein theapplying step further comprises applying the cold plasma to theinfectious element to eradicate the infectious element.
 15. The methodrecited in claim 13, wherein the applying step further causes adiminution in pain experienced by the animal caused by the wound.